High speed web feed apparatus



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HIGH SPEED WEB FEED APPARATUS Mach 3, 1970 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 23, 1968 March 3, 1970 c. F. HOWARD ET AL 3,498,514

HIGH SPEED WEB FEED APPARATUS Filed Sept. 23, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 3, 1970 c z. F.HOWARD E AL 3,493,514

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FIG-ll United States Patent 3,498,514 HIGH SPEED WEB FEED APPARATUS Charles F. Howard, Dayton, and Raymond J. Spreler,

Centerville, Ohio, assignors to The Standard Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Substituted for abandoned application Ser. No. 601,114,

Dec. 12, 1966. This application Sept. 23, 1968, Ser.

Int. Cl. B65h 25/10, 25/32; G03b ]/22 US. Cl. 226-9 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to high-speed intermittent web feed apparatus.

The apparatus of this invention moves a portion of a continuous web from a supply position to a Work position. The portion of the continuous web is moved at a high rate of speed and is accurately stopped in a desired position with respect to the work position so that that portion of the web can be operated upon. Then the portion of the continuous web which has been operated upon is rapidly moved from the work position toward a received position as a succeeding portion of the continuous web is rapidly moved to the work position.

The apparatus of this invention is capable of so moving a portion of a continuous web in either forward or reverse direction. Thus, by means of this apparatus a given portion of a continuous web is located in a work position for operation upon that portion of the web. Then that portion of the web is moved forwardly to a receiver position while a succeeding portion or portions of the continuous web are moved to the work position for operation thereupon. Then, the web may be reversed in movement so that the first portion of the web is returned to the work position and accurately located thereat for further operation thereupon.

Related application This application is a substitute application for Ser. No. 601,114, filed Dec. 12, 1966, now abandoned.

Background of the invention In various types of business and industry, it is necessary or desirable to move a portion of a continuous web to a given position for printing thereupon, or for punching thereupon, or for photographing thereupon, or for photographing therefrom, or for otherwise operating thereupon. The continuous Web normally has a portion thereof disposed at a supply position, while another portion of the continuous web extends through a work area or over a work member to a receiver position. The portion of the continuous web which extends through the Work area is operated upon while that portion is substantially stationary. Then that portion of the continuous web which has been operated upon is moved from the work area or work position to the receiver position, as a succeeding portion of the continuous web is moved to the work area or work position. It is highly desirable that such movement of a portion of the continuous web to and from the work position be accomplished speedily and accurately.

The apparatus of this invention operates in a manner so that cumulative feeding errors do not occur.

Summary of the invention This invention comprises means for moving a portion of a Web to a given work position by first moving the portion of the web at a high rate of speed for a given Patented Mar. 3, 1970 Brief description of the views of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of web feed apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the web feed apparatus of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic view, drawn on a slightly smaller scale than FIGURES 1 and 2, showing the relationship between the elements of the apparatus.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing the elements of the apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged perspective view of control elements of the apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 5 but showing elements of the apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE 7 is a schematic or diagrammatic view of electrical control circuitry of the apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 8 is an exploded perspective view of a modification of a portion of the apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 9 is a front sectional view, drawn on a larger scale than FIGURE 8, of the apparatus of FIG- URE 8. FIGURE 9 is also a sectional view taken substantially on line 99 of FIGURE 10.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 1010 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged side view of the apparatus shown in FIGURES 8, 9, and 10'.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 12-12 of FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatus as shown in FIGURE 12 but illustrating elements of the apparatus in a position of operation.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIGURE 13, but showing elements of the apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of a part of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 12 but illustrating a position of adjustment of the apparatus.

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 1'616 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 1717 of FIGURE 14.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings in detail, web feed apparatus of this invention comprises motor means in the form of a motor 20 which is provided with a shaft 22. The shaft 22 is shown as having a flywheel 24 attached thereto for rotation therewith. The motor 20 is shown herein as being an electrically operated motor. However, within the purview of this invention other types of motor means may be employed. The shaft 22 also carries a pulley wheel 26. A drive belt or drive chain 28 or the like encompasses the pulley wheel 26 and also encompasses a pulley Wheel 30 as the belt 28 is in meshed relationship with the pulley wheels 26 and 30. The pulley wheel 30 is attached to an intermediate shaft 32 for rota tion therewith.

The intermediate shaft 32 is rotatably carried by any suitable means, herein shown as bearing support mem- 3 bers 34. The shaft 32 also carries a gear wheel 38, a gear wheel 40, a gear wheel 42, and a gear wheel 44 for rotation therewith. The gear wheel 40 is in meshed relationship with a gear Wheel 46. The gear wheel 46 is secured to a shaft 48 for rotation therewith. Also, attached to the shaft 48 is a gear 50 which is in meshed relationship with a gear'52. The gear 52 is shown as being carried by a shaft 54. The gear 52 is in meshed relationship with a gear 56. The gear 56 is attached to a connector 58 which is rotatably mounted upon a main drive shaft 60. The main drive shaft 60 is supported by any suitable means, herein shown as bearing support members 61. The connector 58 is connected to any suitable clutch means; herein, the connector '58 is shown secured to a clutch plate 62 for rotation therewith. The clutch plate 62 is a part of an electric clutch device 64 which also has a clutch plate 66 which is attached to the shaft 60 for rotation therewith. Energization of the electric clutch device 64 causes magnetic connection of the clutch plate 66 to the clutch plate 62 for rotation of the clutch plate 62 with the clutch plate 66. The clutch device 64 is herein referred to as a low-speed forward clutch device.

The gear 38 which is attached to the intermediate shaft 32 is in meshed relationship with a gear 70 which is rotatably carried upon the main drive shaft 60.

The gear 70 is secured to a connector 72 which is also rotatably carried upon the main drive shaft 60. A clutch plate 74 is secured to the connector 72 for rotation therewith. The clutch plate 74 is part of an electric clutch device 76 which also has a clutch plate 78 which is secured to the main drive shaft 60 for rotation therewith. The clutch device 76 is herein referred to as a high-speed forward clutch device.

The gear 42 which is attached to the intermediate shaft 32 is in meshed relationship with an idler gear 80 which is carried by a shaft 82. The idler gear 80 is in meshed relationship with a gear 84 which is rotatably carried upon the main drive shaft 60. The gear 84 is secured to a connector 86 which is also rotatably carried upon the main drive shaft 60. A clutch plate 88 is secured to the connector 86 for rotation therewith. The clutch plate 88 is a part of an electric clutch device 90 which has a clutch plate 92 which is secured to the main drive shaft 60 for rotation therewith. The clutch device 90 is herein referred to as a high-speed reverse clutch device.

The gear 44 which is attached to the intermediate shaft 32 is in meshed relationship with a gear 94 which is carried by a shaft 96 for rotation therewith. A gear 98 is also attached to the shaft 96 for rotation therewith. A gear 100 is in meshed relationship with the gear 98. The gear 100 is rotatably carried by the main drive shaft 60. A connector 102 is attached to the gear 100 for rotation therewith. The connector 102 is also rotatably carried by the main drive shaft 60. A clutch plate 104 is also rotatable upon the main drive shaft 60 and is attached to the connector 102 for rotation therewith. The clutch plate 104 is a part of an electric clutch device 106 which also has a clutch plate 108 which is secured to the main drive shaft 60 for rotation therewith. The clutch device 106 is herein referred to as a low-speed reverse clutch device.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the main drive shaft 60 extends to the right from the electric clutch device 106. A brake device 110 which is shown herein as an electrically operated brake device, encompasses the main drive shaft 60. The brake device 110 is secured to any suitable support structure, not shown. The brake device 110 has a brake plate 112 which is secured to the main drive shaft 60 for rotation therewith. The brake device 110 is one which prevents rotation of the brake plate 112 when the brake device 110 is energized. The brake device 110 releases the brake plate 112 for rotation when the brake device 110 is deenergized.

The main drivev shaft 60 also has a plurality of pin feed wheels 116 attached thereto for rotation therewith.

Also attached to the main drive shaft 60 is a plurality of web support discs 118.

Adjacent the electric clutch device 106 is a pulley wheel 120. A flexible connector member in the form of a toothed belt or chain 121 or the like encompasses the pulley wheel and also extends to an auxiliary shaft 122 which is spaced from the main drive shaft 60, substantially parallel therewith. The auxiliary shaft 122 is journalled in support members 124. The auxiliary shaft 122 has attached thereto a pulley wheel 126 for rotation therewith. The belt 121 encompasses the pulley wheel 126 for rotation of the pulley wheel 120. The auxiliary shaft 122 has a plurality of pin feed wheels 128 and a plurality of web support discs 129 attached thereto for rotation therewith.

Intermediate the pulley wheels 120 and 126 and adjacent the belt 121 is a rotary solenoid device 130 which has a shaft 132. The shaft 132 carries a laterally extending arm member 134 and a laterally extending arm member 136. The arm member 13-4 has a roller rotatably carried thereby and disposed above the upper portion of the belt 121, as shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, and 4. The arm member 136 has a roller 142 rotatably carried thereby and positioned below the lower portion of the belt 121, as shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Adjacent the left hand end of the main drive shaft 60, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, is a control disc 146 which is rotatable with the main drive shaft 60 and which is provided with a plurality of transparent areas or windows or openings 148 therethrough adjacent the periphery thereof. The transparent areas or windows or openings 148 may be very narrow, in comparison with the circumferential dimension of the disc 146. Adjacent one side surface of the disc 146 is a light source 150 and a light source 152; Adjacent the opposite side surface of the disc 146 are a photocell 154 and a photocell 156. The photocell 154 is in alignment with the light source 150 and the photocell 156 is in alignment with the light source 152.

At the left of the photocells 154 and 156, as shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 5, and 6, and attached to the shaft 60 for rotation therewith is a control belt drive wheel 160 which is encompassed by a control belt or tape 162. The control belt 162 also encompasses a control belt wheel 164 which is carried by a shaft 166. The control belt 162 has a continuous row of holes 167 for the reception of pins 169 which are carried by the wheel 160 for precise simultaneous movement of the control. tape 162 with rotation of the shaft 60.

Above the upper surface of the control tape 162 are a photocell 168 and a photocell 170. Directly below the upper surface of the control belt 162 are a light source 172 which is in alignment with the photocell 168 and a light source 174 which is in alignment with the photocell 170. Also, above the upper surface of the control belt 162 are a photocell 1'61 and a photocell 163. Directly below the upper surface of thecontrol belt 162 are a light source 159 which is in alignment with the photocell 163 and a light source which is in alignment with the photocell 161. The shaft 166 is rotatably supported by support means 175.

The apparatus of this invention is adapted to move a web, such as a web 180. The web may consist of a single strip or a plurality of strips or the like arranged in superposed relationship. The web 180 is shown as having a row of pin wheel feed holes 182 at each of the side edges thereof. The pin feed wheels 116 which are carried by the shaft 60 and the pin feed wheels 128 which are carried by the shaft-122 engage the web 180 within the feed holes 182-for movement of the web 180 with rotation of the pin wheels 116 and 128. Portions of the web 180 between the side edges thereof rest upon the discs 118 and 129 which are carried by the shafts 60 and 122, respectivelyn v FIGURE 7 illustrates control circuitry of this invention which is in combination with the apparatus discussed above for control of the operation thereof.

A suitable source of electrical energy is connected to the control circuitry by means of power supply lines PS1, PS2, and PS3, shown in FIGURE 7. Power supply line PS1 is connected to a switch 190 which is engageable with a contact 192 or a contact 194. The contact 194 has a conductor 196 joined thereto.

The power supply line PS2 is connected to a start switch 198 which is engageable with a contact 200. The contact 200 is joined to a conductor 204. The power supply line PS3 is joined to a switch 206 which is engageable with a contact 208 or a contact 210. The contact 208 is connected to a conductor 212.

The switches 190 and 206 are mechanically joined together for simultaneous operation.-

The conductor 196 is connected to an AND gate 216. A conductor 218 joins the output of the AND gate 216 to the low-speed reverse clutch device 106. The conductor 196 is also connected to an AND gate 220. The output of the AND gate 220 is joined to the high-speed reverse clutch device 90 by means of a conductor 222. The conductor 196 is also connected to an AND gate 224 and to an AND gate 226. A conductor 228 connects the output of the AND gate 224 to an OR gate 230. A conductor 232 connects the output of the AND gate 226 to an OR gate 234.

The conductor 204 is joined to a reset lead of a flipfiop device 236 and to a set lead of a flip-flop device 238. The output of the flip-flop device 236 is joined by a conductor 240 to the brake device 110 and to an inverter 239. The output of the inverter 239 is joined by a conductor 241 to the rotary solenoid 130. The output of the flip-flop device 238 is connected to the AND gate 220 and to an AND gate 242 by means of a conductor 244. The output of the AND gate 242 is joined to the highspeed forward clutch 76 by means of a conductor 246.

The conductor 212 is connected to an AND gate 248 and to an AND gate 250. The output of the AND gate 248 is connected to the OR gate 234 by a conductor 252. The output of the AND gate 250 is connected to the OR gate 230 by a conductor 254. The output of the OR gate 234 is connected to a reset lead of the flip-flop 238 by a conductor 256. The conductor 256 is also connected to a set lead of a fiip-fiop 258. A reset lead of the flip-flop 258 is joined to the output of the OR gate 230 by a conductor 260 The conductor 260 is also connected to a set lead of the flip-flop 236.

A conductor 262 joins the output of the flip-flop 258 to an AND gate 264 and to the AND gate 216.

The conductor 212 is also connected to the AND gate 242 and to the AND gate 264. A conductor 266 joins the output of the AND gate 264 to the low-speed forward clutch 64.

A conductor 270 joins the photocell 170 to an amplifier 272. A conductor 274 connects the amplifier 272 to the AND gate 248.

The photocell 156 is connected by means of a conductor 278 to an amplifier 280. The amplifier 280 is joined by a conductor 282 to the AND gate 248 and to the AND gate 250.

The photocell 168 is joined by a conductor 284 to an amplifier 286 which is connected to the AND gate 250 by a conductor 288.

The photocell 163 is joined by a conductor 290 to an amplifier 292 which is connected to the AND gate 226 by a conductor 294. The photocell 154 is connected to an amplifier 296 by a conductor 298. A conductor 299 joins the amplifier 296 to the AND gate 226 and to the AND gate 224.

The photocell 161 is connected to an amplifier 301 by a conductor 302. A conductor 303 joins the amplifier 301 to the AND gate 224.

Operation The electric motor 20 is connected to any suitable source of energy by means not shown. The motor 20 is energized before other operation occurs. The motor 20, when energized, continuously rotates the shaft 22 thereof in one direction of rotation and thus the belt 28 continuously rotates the intermediate shaft 32 in one direction. Thus, the gears 40, 3'8, 42, and 44 are rotating. Therefore, the gears 46, 50, 52, 80, 94, and 98 are rotating. The gears 56, 70, 84, and 100 are thus rotating, but the shaft 60 is not rotated until one of the clutch devices 64, or '76, or 90, or 106 is energized.

When it is desired to move or to feed the portion of the web 180 which extends between the main shaft 60 and the auxiliary shaft 122 in a forward direction, the switches 190 and 206 are positioned in the manner shown in FIGURE 7. Thus, the switch 190 is open and the switch 206 is closed. Then the start switch 198 is momentarily closed and is re-opened to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 7. Momentary closing of the switch 198 momentarily energizes the conductor 204 and sets the flip-flop 238 and resets the flip-flop 236. Thus, the flip-flop 238 establishes a circuit to the AND gate 242 through the conductor 244.

As stated above, the flip-flop 236 is in a reset condition. Thus, the conductor 240 is de-energized and the brake plate 112 and the shaft 60 are free to rotate.

When the conductor 240 is de-energized, the rotary solenoid 130 is energized through the inverter 239 and the conductor 241. The rotary solenoid 130 is normally de-energized so that the arms 134 and 136 are positioned as shown in FIGURE 3. Thus, the lower portion of the belt 121 is forced upwardly and the belt 121 thus urges counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 60 and clockwise rotation of the shaft 122. Therefore, the web 180 is drawn taut between the shafts 60 and 122 and that portion of the web 180 which is between the shafts 60 and 122 firmly engages any suitable surface such as the surface of a table 300- which is disposed between the shafts 60 and 122, as illustrated in FIGURE 3. The surface of the table 300 may be convex or coplanar or any other suitable shape.

When the solenoid 130 is energized through the inverter 239, the solenoid 130 rotates the shaft 132 so that the arms 134 and 136 are moved from the positions thereof shown in FIGURE 3 to the positions thereof shown in FIGURE 4. Thus, the roller 140 depresses the upper portion of the belt 121 as pressure of the roller 142 on the lower portion of the belt 121 is released by movement of the roller 142 in a direction from the lower portion of the belt 121. Therefore, upper portions of the belt 121 which engage the pulley wheels 120 and 126 are moved one toward the other. Thus, the pulley wheel 120 is urged to move clockwise and the pulley wheel 126 is urged to move counterclockwise. The shaft 60 has the brake device connected thereto. Thus, when the brake device 110 is energized the shaft 60 to which the pulley wheel is attached does not rotate. Thus, when the upper portion of the belt 121 is depressed as shown in FIGURE 4, the shaft 122 may be caused to rotatively move counterclockwise, without rotation of the shaft 60.

A key member 297 is shown attaching each pulley wheel 120 and 126 to its respective shaft 60 and 122. The position of the key members 297 as shown in FIG- URE 4, compared to the position of the key members 297 as shown in FIGURE 3, illustrates the relative rotation of the shafts 60 and 122 when the roller forces the upper portion of the belt 121 downwardly in the manner shown in FIGURE 4. Thus, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, the length of the portion of the web which is disposed between the shafts 60 and 122 is increased so that there is no tension in the portion of the web 180 which is between the shafts 60 and 122.

Due to the fact that the switch 206 is closed, a circuit is established from the power supply line PS3 to the con- 7 tact 208 and to the conductor 212. Thus, the AND gate 242 is energized through the conductor 212, as Well as through the conductor 244. Thus, the conductor 246 is energized and the high-speed forward clutch device 76 is energized and the shaft 60 is driven at a high rate of speed in a forward direction.

Operation of the control tape 162 determines the length of the web 180 which is fed at a high rate of speed over the table 300. Due to the fact that the control tape 162 is rotatively moved with rotation of the wheel 160, the control tape 162 rotatively moves with rotation of the shaft 60. The portions of the web 180 between the shafts 60 and 122 and portions of the web 180 leading to the shaft 60 and portions of the web 180 extending from the shaft 122 move longitudinally with rotation of the shaft 60. As shown in FIGURES and 6, the control belt 162 contains a hole 291 and a hole 293. When the control belt 162 moves so that the hole 291 is directly between the photocell 170 and the light source 174, light passes from the light source 174 through the hole 291 to the photocell 170. Thus, the photocell 170 is energized, and a signal flows from the photocell 170 through the amplifier 272 and through the conductor 274 and to the AND gate 248. This signal indicates to the AND gate 248 that the web 180 has moved at a high rate of speed through approximately a given length.

The disc 146 rotates with rotation of the shaft 60. The disc 146, as stated above, is provided with a plurality of radial transparent areas or windows or openings 148 which accurately determine the rotative position of the shaft 60. Immediately following or simultaneously with energization of the photocell 170 through the control tape 162, light passes from the light source 152 through one of the slits 148 to the photocell 156 for energization thereof. Thus, a signal flows from the photocell 156 through the amplifier 280 and through the conductor 282 to the AND gate 248. The AND gate 248 was earlier energized through the conductor 212, which remains energized. Thus, with application of signals to the conductors 212, 274, and 282, an output signal moves from the AND gate 248 and flows through the conductor 252 to the OR gate 234. Therefore, an output signal moves from the OR gate 234, through the conductor 256 to the flip-flop 238 and to the flip-flop 258. Therefore, the flipflop 238 is reset and the flip-fiop 258 is set. Thus, the conductor 244 becomes de-energized. Thus, the AND gate 242 is closed and the AND gate 264 is opened. Thus, the conductor 246 is de-energized and the conductor 266 is energized. Therefore, the high-speed forward clutch device 76 is de-energized and the low-speed forward clutch device 64 is energized, and the shaft 60' rapidly decelerates to its low forward rate.

The low rate of rotative speed of the shaft 60 continues until the hole 293 of the control belt 162 is moved into alignment between the light source 172 and the photocell 168 so that the photocell 168 is energized. Thus, a signal is applied to the AND gate 250 from the photocell 168 through the amplifier 286 and through the conductor 288. Simultaneously with or immediately following the fiow of a signal to the AND gate 250 through the conductor 288, rotative movement of the disc 146 causes a window 148 in the disc 146 to move into alignment between the photocell 156 and the light source 152. Thus, the conductor 282 is energized. When this occurs, there is an output signal from the AND gate 250 and the conductor 254 is energized. Thus, the OR gate 230 is energized, and the conductor 260 is energized. Thus, the flip-flop 258 is reset and the conductor 262 is de-energized. Therefore, the AND gate 264 is closed and the loW- speed forward clutch device 64 is deenergized. At the same time, energization of the conductor 260 sets the flip-flop 236 and the conductor 240 is energized so that the brake 110 is energized. Thus, the shaft 60 is braked to a stop. Energization of the conductor 240 also causes deenergization of the rotary solenoid 130 through the inverter 239. Thus, the shaft 132 of the rotary solenoid 130 is rotated and the arms 134 and 136 are moved to the positions thereof shown in FIGURE 3. Thus, the lower portion of the belt 121 is forced upwardly by the roller 142, as shown in FIGURE 3. Thus, the shaft 122 is rotatively moved clockwise with respect to the shaft 60 and the Web 180 is tightened between the shafts 60 and 122. Therefore, the web 180 becomes taut in its relationship to the surface of the table 300, as shown in FIGURE 3. Thus, the web 180 is firmly positioned with respect to the surface of the table 300 for printing or photographing or writing thereupon or the like.

When it is desired to again move the web 180 in a forward direction, the process discussed above is repeated.

When it is desired to move the web 180 in a reverse direction, the switches 190 and 206 are operated so that the switch 190 is in contact with the contact 194 and the switch 206 is in engagement with the contact 210. Thus, the conductor 196 is energized and provides a signal to the AND gate 226 and to the AND gate 224. Then the start switch 198 is momentarily closed, momentarily energizing the conductor 204. Therefore, the flip-flop device 238 is set and the flip-flop device 236 is reset.

When the flip-flop 236 is reset, the conductor 240 is de-energized. Thus, the brake is de-energized and the shaft 60 is free to rotate. Also, de-energization of the conductor 240 causes energization of the rotary solenoid through the inverter 239. Therefore, there is rotary movement of the shaft 132, and the arms 134 and 136 move from the position thereof shown in FIGURE 3 to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 4. Thus, the roller 140 depresses the upper portion of the belt 121, and the portions of the belt 121 which are in contact with the upper portions of the pulley wheels 120 and 126 move one toward the other. Therefore, the shaft 122 is rotated counterclockwise with respect to the shaft 60. Thus, the portion of the web 180 which is disposed between the shafts 60 and 122 is increased in length and that portion of the web 180 is loosened in its position between the shafts 60 and 122. Thefeore, the portion of the web 180 which is adjacent the table 300 is in a slack condition.

When the flip-flop 238 is set, the conductor 244 which is connected to the output of the flip-flop 238 is energized. Closing of the switch 190, as stated above, provides a signal to the AND gate 220 through the conductor 196. Thus, when the conductor 244 is energized, there is an output from the AND gate 220 and the conductor 222 is energized. Thus, the high-speed reverse clutch device 90 is energized and the shaft 60 is rotated at a high rate of speed in the reverse direction of rotation. Thus, portions of the web 180 between the shafts 60 and 122 and adjacent thereto are moved at a high rate of speed in a reverse direction.

Of course, when the shaft 60 rotates in a reverse direction, the tape 162 rotatively moves in a reverse direction. The tape 162 has a hole 311 and a hole 313 therein, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 5. As the tape 162 rotatively moves so that the hole 311 comes into a position directly between the light source 159 and the photocell 163, light flows through the hole 311 from the light source 159 and engages the photocell 163. Thus, the photocell 163 is energized and the conductor 294 is energized through the amplifier 292. Thus, a signal is applied to the AND gate 226 through the conductor 294. At the same time or immediately subsequent to energization of the AND gate 226 through the conductor 294, a slit 148 of the disc 146 moves into the direct alignment between the light source 150 and the photocell 154. Thus, the photocell 154 is energized and the conductor 299 is energized through the amplifier 296. Thus, a signal is applied to the AND gate 226 through the conductor 299.

Due to the fact that the conductor 196 leading to the AND gate 226 was energized earlier by closing of the switch 190, the. AND gate 226 now provides an output to the conductor 232 and the conductor 232 is energized.

Thus, an output occurs from the OR gate 234 and the conductor 256 is energized. Thus, the flip-flop 238 is reset so that the conductor 244 is de-energized. Thus, the AND gate 220 is de-energized and the conductor 222 and the high-speed reverse clutch device 90 are de-energized.

However, at the same time, energization of the conductor 256 through the OR gate-234 sets the flip-flop device 258 so that the conductor 262 is energized. Thus, an output occurs from the AND gate 216 and the low-speed reverse clutch device 106 is energized through the conductor 218. Thus, the shaft 60 rotates at a lowrate of speed in the reverse direction of rotation. Thus, the web v180 moves at a low rate. of speed in the reverse direction.

Low speed rotation of the shaft 60 in the reverse direction causes low speed rotative movement of the tape 162 in the reverse direction. Such low speed rotation of the shaft 60 continues until the hole 313 in the tape 162 is moved into alignment between the light source 165 and the photocell 161. Thus, the photocell 161 is energized by light from the light source 162. Therefore, a signal is provided'to the AND gate 224 through the conductor 303. At the same time or immediately subsequent thereto, a window 148 in the disc 146 is moved into alignment between the photocell 154 and the light source 150. Thus, the photocell 154 is energized and the conductor 299 is energized through the amplifier 296. Therefore, a signal is applied to the AND gate 224 through the conductor 299. This results in an output from the AND gate 224 for energization of the conductor 228 to the OR gate 230. Therefore, there is an output from the OR gate 230 to the conductor 260, and the flip-flop device 258 is reset and the flip-flop device 236 is set. Thus, the conductor 262 is energized. Therefore, the AND gate 216 is closed and the low-speed reverse clutchdevice 106 is de-energized. Also, the flip-flop device 236 produces an output to energize the conductor 240 and the brake 110 is energized and the rotary solenoid 130 is de-energized through the inverter 239. Thus, the shaft 60 is braked to a stop and the solenoid 130 operates to .move the arms 134 and 136 to the positions thereof shown in FIGURE 3. Thus, the web 180 is tightened between the shafts 122 and 60 and with respect to the table 300, as shown in FIGURE 3.

Thus, it is understood that the apparatus of this invention provides means by which a continuous web, such as the web 180 has successive portions thereof rapidly and accurately moved to a given location. If desired, the suc FIGURES 8-17 FIGURES 8-17 illustrate a modification of control mechanism shown in FIGURES and 6.

A main drive shaft 305, which may be similar to the drive shaft 60, has gear members 304 and 307 attached thereto for rotationtherewith. Setscrews 309 are shown for securing the gear members 304 and 307 to the shaft 305. Also, attachedto the shaft 305 for rotation therewithis a wheel 306 which is provided with apertures or slits 308 therethrough. A hearing housing 310 is shown encompassing the shaft 305 and supports any suitable bearing means 312 therein, as shown in FIGURE 10. The bearing housing 310 is carried by a bracket 316. Bolts or studs 318 attach the bracket 31-6 to a base 320.

A bracket 324 is also attached to the base 320* through a block 326. One or more bolts or. studs 328 attach the bracket 324 to the block 326. The bracket 324 supports a carrier plate 330 which is in slidable engagement therewith. The carrier plate 330 has an alignment pin 332 secured thereto. The pin 332 extends into a slot 334 in 10 the bracket 324. Each one of a plurality of studs 336 extends through a slot 338 in the bracket 324 and into the carrier plate 330. A washer 340' encompasses each of the studs 336.

The carrier plate 330 has a shaft 342 attached thereto which extends laterally therefrom. The shaft 342 carries a pair of idler gears 344 which are retained upon the shaft 342 by nuts or clips 346.

A connection block 349 is secured to the bracket 316 and supports a laterally extending shaft 350. The shaft 350 carries a support wheel 352 and a support wheel 354. A spacer portion 356 is integral with the wheel 352. Screws 358 extend through the support wheel 354 and attach the support wheel 354 to the spacer portion 356 so that the support wheels 352 and 354 are attached one to the other as a unit as the support wheels 352 and 354 are separated by the spacer portion 356. The support wheels 352 and 354 are rotatably mounted upon the shaft 350', as the shaft 350 extends therethrough. A knurled nut 360 is threaded upon a threaded end portion 362 of the shaft 350 and retains the support wheels 352 and 354 upon the shaft 350.

Each of the support wheels 352 and 354 has a plurality of openings 365 therethrough for rotatable support of a plurality of control members 366. Each control member 366 comprises a shaft 368 upon which a toothed gear 370 and a plate 372 are mounted for rotation therewith. Each plate 372 has spaced apart openings or windows 374 and 376. The control members 366 are rotatable carried by the support wheels 352 and 354 so that the gear 370 of some of the control members 366 face the support wheel 354 and the gear 370 of some of the control members 366 face the sunnort wheel 352.

The support wheels 352 and 354 can be rotated to position any one of the control members 366 in engagement with one of the idler gears 344. A control member 366 which has the gear 370 thereof facing the support wheel 354 is positionable so that the gear 370 meshes with one of the idler gears 344, and a control member 366 which has the gear 370 thereof facing the support wheel 354 is positionable so that the gear 370 meshes with the other idler gear 344.

An elongate stud 378 extends through the support Wheels 352 and 354 and into a threaded hole 380 in the connection block 349 and secures the rotative position of the support wheels 352 and 354. A plurality of openings 381 are arranged in annular relationship in the support wheel 354 and in the support wheel 352 at the central portion thereof. The stud 378 extends through one of the openings 381 in each of the rotative positions of the wheels 352 and 354. Thus, the position of the control members 366 with respect to the idler gears 344 is se cured.

The bracket 316 carries a housing 382 within which photocells 384 and 386 are mounted. The housing 382 is adjacent the wheel 306.

The bracket 324 also supports a stem 388, as shown in FIGURES 10 and 11, which is retained by one or more of the studs 328. The stem 388 carries a housing 390 within which are disposed lamps 392 and 394. Any one of the control members 366 when disposed in meshed relationship with one of the gears 344 is also disposed adjacent the wheel 306 in substantially parallel relationship therewith.

Operation of apparatus of FIGURES 8-1'7 As stated above, the shaft 305 may be similar to the shaft 60 of FIGURES 1 and 2 and thus is adapted to serve as a main drive shaft or to be joined to a main drive shaft for rotation therewith.

As the shaft 305 rotates, the gears 304 and 307 rotate and cause rotation of the idler gears 344 which are in mesh therewith. Thus, the control member 366 which is in mesh with one of the idler gears 344 rotates. As stated above, the plate 372 of the control member 366- has a window 374 and a window 376 therethrough.

The wheel 306 also rotates with rotation of the shaft 305 but in the opposite direction from the directionof rotation of the control member 366 which is in mesh-with one of the idler gears 344. As the plate 372 of the control member 366 and the wheel 306 are rotated, the window 374 first comes into alignment with one of the openings 308 in the wheel 306, as illustrated in FIG- URES 13 and 16. Thus, light from the lamp 394 is per,- mitted to travel through the opening 374 in the plate 372 and through an opening 308 in the wheel 306 to the photocell 386. The photocell 386 is joined to any suitable control circuitry which causes change in rate of rotation of the drive shaft 305.

Then further rotation of the drive shaft 305 causes further rotation of the wheel 306 and the plate 372 of the control wheel 366 which is in mesh with one of the idler gears 344. Thus, the window 376 is brought into alignment with one of the openings 308 in the wheel 306. Thus, light is permitted to move from the lamp 392 through the window 376 in the plate 372 and through an opening 308 in the wheel 306 and to the photocell 384, as illustrated in FIGURES 14 and 17. The photocell 384 is joined to any suitable control circuitry which receives a signal from the photocell 384 to change the rate of rotation of the shaft 305 or to stop rotation of the shaft 305.

It is to be understood that the shaft 305 is joined to web feed mechanism which may be similar to that discussed'above.

Any one of the control members 366 may be disposed adjacent the wheel 306. The control member 366 which is selected for use is moved to engagement with one of the idler gear members 344 by rotative adjustment of the support wheels 352 and 354. A control member 366 is selected which has the windows 374 and 376 thereof arranged with respect to rotative movement thereof so that a web is moved a desired distance at a high rate of speed and then at a low rate of speed and then stopped at a desired position as control occurs through the windows 374 and 376. Thus, a control member 366 is selected which causes movement of the web a desired amount before the web is stopped for operation thereupon. Thus, a cOntrOl member 366 is selected to provide a given individual form length upon each cycle of operation of the. web feed apparatus.

For such adjustment of the support wheels 352 and 354 to the desired rotative position engaging the desired control member 366 with one of the idler gears 344, the elongate stud 378 is removed from the wheels 352 and 354 and the nut 360 is loosened with respect to the shaft 350. Also, the studs 336 are loosened to permit the carrier plate 330 to move with respect to the bracket 324. Thus, the idler gears 344 are moved from engagement with one of the control members 366, as shown in FIG- URE 12, to a position spaced therefrom, as shown in FIGURE 15. Then the support wheels 352 and 354 are rotated to move the desired control member'366 to a position adjacent the wheel 306. Then the stud 378' is returned to its position extending through the support wheels 352 and 354 and threadedly attached to the block 349. Then the nut 360 is tightened upon the shaft 350. Then the carrier plate 330 is moved to position the idler gears 344 in engagement with the gear 370 of the control member 366 and the studs 336 are tightened to retain the carrier plate 330 in desired adjusted position. 1

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. Apparatus of the type described comprising:

support structure,

a rotary member carried by the support structure,

a carrier member adjustably rotatably carried by the support structure adjacent the rotary member,

a first disc operably connected to the rotary member for rotation therewith, the disc having. at least one window therethrough, t

a plurality of auxiliary discs carried by the carrier member, each of-the auxiliary discs being provided with at least onewindow therethrough, the carrier member being adjustable to position any one of the auxiliary discs in a position adjacent the first disc,

means operably connecting the first disc to the auxiliary disc whichis disposed adjacent, thereto for rotative :movement of the auxiliary disc with rotative movement of thefirst zdisc,.the auxiliarydisc being rotata- .ble with the first disc so that light which passes through a window in the first disc also passes through a window of the auxiliary disc,

and photocell means positioned to receive, light which passes through a windowof the first disc and which also passes through a window of the auxiliary disc.

2. The apparatus of claim 1. inwhich each of the auxiliary discs has a .window therethrough at a given spacing from the axis of rotation thereof and at least one other window :therethrough, each other window being located at a position different from the given spacing from the axis of rotation of the disc, the first disc having at least one window therethrough which is of sufficient dimensions so that upon.relative rotative movement of the first disc with respect to an auxiliary disc which is operably connected thereto one of the windows of the auxiliary disc is alignable with the window in the first disc,

and a plurality of photocells, there being one photocell for each window in an auxiliary disc, there being a photocell positi'o'nedto receive light which passes through a window of the auxiliary disc and which also passes through a window of the first disc when the windows are in alignment.

3. Web feed apparatus comprising:

support structure, 7 I t rotary means carried by the support structure and engageable by a web for feed operation. thereof with rotative movement ofthe rotary means,

a first rotary disc operably connected to the rotary means for rotative movement therewith, the first disc having at least one window .therethrough,

a carrier member carried by'the support structure adjacent the rotary means,-

a plurality of auxiliary discscarried by the carrier member, the carrier -member being rotatably adjustable to position any one of the auxiliary discs in a position adjacent the first disc,

means operably connecting the first disc to the auxiliary disc which is disposed adjacent thereto for rotative movement of the auxiliary disc with rotative movement of the first disc, each of the' auxiliary discs having a plurality of windows therethrough, each window of the first disc being alignable with any one of the windows in an auxiliary disc which is operably connected thereto with rotative movement of the first disc and the auxiliary disc,

photocell means positioned to receive light which passes through any. window of an auxiliary disc and which also passes through a window inthe first disc when said windows are in. alignment,

. control means for controlling operation of the rotary means, the control means being connected to the photocell means for operation of therotary means in response to operation of the photocell means.

4. Strip feed apparatuscoin'prising:

motor means,

a rotary drive shaft,

strip engagement meanscarried'by-"the rotary drive shaft for movement ofa portion-of astrip which is in engagement therewith, i

means including high-speed clutch means and low-speed clutch means for'joining the motor means to the rotary drive shaft, the high-speedclutch means being 13 energizable for operation of the rotary drive shaft, the low-speed clutch means being energizable for operation of the rotary drive shaft, control means oper-ably joined to the high-speed clutch means and to the low-speed clutch means, the control 5 means including rotary means operably connected to the rotary drive shaft for rotation therewith, the rotary means having a part which is provided with at least one window therein, a first light source disposed adjacent one portion of the rotary means, a first photocell disposed adjacent an opposite portion of the rotary means, the photocell sensing the rotary position of the rotary means as light flows through a window in the rotary means from the light source to the photocell, the control means also including means for energization of the high-speed clutch means, the control means also including means for de-energiza tion of the high-speed clutch means and for energization of the low-speed clutch means in response to the sensing operation of the photocell in sensing the rotary position of the rotary means,

the rotary means including a plurality of rotary disc members, each of the disc members having at least one window therein, the disc members being relatively rotatable to align a window of one disc member with a window of another disc member while aligning the windows with the light source and the photocell.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,863,549 12/1958 Kelly 2269 X 3,174,610 3/1965 Barbagallo 2269 X 15 RICHARD A. SCHACHER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

